Washington, DC – The Embassy of Canada and the United Way of the National Capital Area co-hosted the 28th Annual La Soirée – a Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration to raise charitable contributions to tackle the community’s most pressing issues. This year, La Soirée also included a candlelight vigil in honor of President George H.W. Bush and his legacy of service.
As part of the event, the Embassy of Canada displayed a Nova Scotia Balsam Fir for the tree lighting celebration. As opposed to other coniferous and deciduous trees, the Balsam Fir showcases an impressive adaptability in a number of different environments ranging from alongside the slopes of mountains, stretched along the plains, or even towering in a swamp! Aside from its natural beauty, the Balsam Fir embodies resilience – as is the case for countless communities across the globe. Communities, right here in the national capital area where United Way NCA is fighting for the health, education and financial stability for every person in our community.
United Way NCA develops programs that help children and adults in our community thrive through an integrated approach to health and wellness that not only fights obesity but also creates good habits for life.
The contributions raised from La Soirée go towards helping United Way NCA continue its journey to improving the lives of those in the national capital area that need it most. By choosing to attend La Soirée, IAT Managing Editor Poonam Sharma, a Canadian herself and Editor Tejinder Singh, the team joined on the frontline in ensuring that every student receives an equal education, every family has access to food, and every individual has the means to build a financially sustainable life.
In recent days, the United Way NCA is collecting donations for an Emergency Assistance Fund to help those that are most impacted by the government shutdown. This will help support thousands of people who are without a paycheck that they desperately need.
Tejinder Singh, Editor, India America Today & White House Correspondent